The tropical north turns up the heat this Saturday as Ladbrokes Cannon Park hosts one of Queensland’s most anticipated regional racing events, Cairns Cup Day.
With eight races on the card and the prestigious $150,000 Cairns Cup over 2100m taking centre stage, it is a fitting way to bring down the curtain on the Northern Winter Carnival.
Let’s dive into the form, find the winners, and celebrate Cairns Cup Day in style.
GERALDINE’S WISH (3) has placed in 10 of her 16 races so is overdue for a maiden win, but she’s looked most likely of breaking through since joining the Trevor & Peter Rowe stable three starts ago.
The daughter of Grunt missed the start by three lengths when first-up for the Rowes over 950m here before charging home to finish an unlucky 3.3 length second.
He over raced two starts back when finishing 1.2 lengths third over this course and distance before hitting the line hard over 950m last start to finish a close second.
Given how strong through the line he was last start, a return to 1250m looks ideal.
| 3. Geraldine’s Wish (9) J: Krysten Swaffer 58.5kg 38232T: Trevor & Peter Rowe |
GEM OF SCOTS (6) gave hot favourite Nooshbahoosh a late scare when finding the line well two starts back over 950m here to finish 1.8 lengths second.
The daughter of Rothesay broke through last start when storming home from a long way back to win in the final stride over 950m.
She was four weeks between runs so will strip fitter and the rise in distance looks suitable given the way she has been running through the line.
The outside barrier isn’t ideal, but she’s been faced with similar challenges in her past two races so knows how to overcome it.
| 6. Gem Of Scots (8) Scratched: | |||
TURBEAU (3) was stiff not to win over 1300m at Townsville last start when held up at the top of the straight.
To the Steve Massingham-trained gelding’s credit, he let down strongly once clear to finish a half-length second.
His form prior to that was very good and included a strong win over 1400m here four starts back.
He’s rock hard fit and draws to get a great run for Ryan Wiggins.
| 3. Turbeau (1) J: Ryan Wiggins 61kg 01622T: Stephen Massingham |
LEAN EAGLE (3) is racing in a purple patch of form and is looking for his fourth win in a row.
The Steve Massingham-trained gelding carried this weight to victory last start when storming home to win over 1200m at Townsville.
Two starts back, he picked up strongly in the final furlong to run down the leader and win over 1250m here by half a length.
He steps up to this distance for the first time but given the way he finds the line, it should pose a problem.
Ryan Wiggins once again rides the son of Lean Machine who has finished outside the quinella just once in six starts at Cairns.
| 3. Lean Eagle (7) J: Ryan Wiggins 62kg x2111T: Stephen Massingham |
OBLIGATED (1) jumped from 1000m at 1560m at Mackay two starts ago and despite that big jump in distance, found the line strongly to finish 1.9 lengths fourth.
A change of tactics to settle closer, worked well for the Lyle Wright-trained gelding last start over a mile at Townsville where despite a big weight and over racing early, he rocketed home in clearly the fastest final 200m to win the Guineas by 2.1 lengths.
He has a massive weight to carry but has the benefit of the inside barrier which Ash Butler should use to settle handy.
TIME TO PROPHET (6) will appreciate the drop in class after giving a good account of herself last start in the Lightning Open Handicap over this course and distance.
The Georgie Holt-trained mare fought gamely and was strong through the line to finish 2.8 lengths fourth.
She won back-to-back races before that at Rockhampton and Townsville so she’s racing in great form.
There looks to be good speed engaged which will aid her cause as will senior jockey Adrian Holt in the irons.
| 6. Time To Prophet (10) J: Aidan Holt 60kg 85114T: Georgina Holt |
SIR GRACE (7) looks primed to go one better in the Cairns Cup after finishing runner-up in the Mackay and Townsville Cups.
The Warwick Satherley-trained gelding towed eventual winner Hype into the race at Mackay but still fought gamely to finish a length second with third 3.3 lengths away.
It took a track record run by Quothquan to defeat him in the Townsville Cup last start where he charged home to defeat several of the key chances.
The rise in distance suits given he recorded the fastest final 400m in the Townsville Cup and fastest last 600m in the Mackay Cup.
They should roll along in front which will see him enjoy a nice run.
| 7. Sir Grace (8) J: Nathan Thomas 55.5kg 06722T: Warwick Satherley |
CARDIOLOGIST (6) resumes here for new trainer Matt Kropp after previously racing in Victoria with Price & Kent Jnr.
The son of Exceed And Excel looked super in a recent Gatton trial where he led comfortably before driving clear under his own steam in the straight to win by 2.5 lengths.
He showed good form in Victoria that should hold up nicely here where he won twice (both over 1400m) and placed six times from 13 starts.
Leslie ‘Bubba’ Tilley will look to lead and give them something to catch.
| 6. Cardiologist (5) J: Les Tilley 58.5kg 1210xT: Matt Kropp |